The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) congratulates Australia’s Local Hero, Vicki Jellie, the Young Australian of the Year, Paul Vasileff, the Senior Australian of the Year, Sister Anne Gardiner AM, and the Australian of the Year, Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim.
ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said, “On behalf of ACN’s Board, Distinguished Life Fellows, Fellows, Members and staff, I congratulate all of our very deserving Australian of the Year Award recipients. The four individuals show incredible leadership, passion and energy in pursuing and producing inspiring and exceptional work. They motivate us through their commitment, work ethic and dedication to important causes. I appreciate that the selection process is competitive and all of the 32 national finalists for 2017 are exceptional and deserving of recognition.”
Adjunct Professor Ward said, “We have seen incredible promotion of issues such as mental health and domestic violence from recent Award recipients. Outstanding leadership has been demonstrated to bring these issues to the forefront. There are so many important issues that need to be addressed and this is a powerful platform in which to do this.”